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Niese relieved to get contract extension

Niese relieved to get contract extension

NEW YORK -- Left-hander Jon Niese called his pending contract extension "a relief," knowing he no longer has to worry about money or injuries over the next five years with the Mets.

"It's a burden off my shoulders and it's something that I don't have to think about when I go out and pitch," Niese said. "I can just go out and pitch and have fun and help the team win."

The five-year deal, which the Mets plan to announce on Saturday, is worth $25.5 million with two team options, potentially raising the value as high as seven years and $46 million. Niese will undergo a physical on Friday before the Mets make his deal official the following day.

Set to start the third game of the season on Sunday, Niese finished 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA last year, missing the final month of the season with a right intercostal strain.